Highlights
On route the Leicester branch of the Grand Union i have pass back over the route to Braunston. It is nice knowing the route and knowing ahead of time there is easy moorings.
The Lecister branch on the Grand Union and the Oxford are being closed until the rain comes. Good job i am not planning to go back soon as the route is closing up behind as i go! Glad to be on rivers now as there is still enough water to keep the weirs running.
Full Trip report
Sunday 6th July – Heavy rain all morning but not nearly enough to help water levels the canal is very low. Very windy getting thru the locks but a few boats coming down so lots help with the locks.
Wave Clive of at calcutt and head off to moor east of the junction. Fit the new lighter curtains which I like, they change the inside of the boat a lot and tidy up. It’s quite late by the time it’s all done. Lenny is very happy snoozing on the sofa. This the first evening is felt cool since I left London.
Monday 7th July – retrace Wendys and my steps heading back to Braunston only this time turning right down the Grand Union. We meet up with another boat and we do the double width flight of 6 locks together with a little help from lock keepers. Braunston tunnel went smoothly and we emerged into beautiful wooded cutting with bright sunshine.
Its cool but dry today. I join the Leicester arm which is totally new and stop a mile south of Watford lock flight as it is on restricted hours. Nice to be back on the move.
Tuesday 8th July – water shortages mean the Watford flight is on restricted hours but no queue going up. It is a little slow as there is a queue coming down but the lock keepers keep us in order and the staircase is just ingenious with an excellent book swap at the top. Mooring for the night in an ancient woodland, I wonder if the felling and cutting thru ancient woodland for HS2 will ever achieve that same sense of harmony as this canal and this woodland.
Wednesday 9 July – Warm start which just warmer, heat wave is returning. Long flat run along the Leicester branch which winds it’s way around the side of the hills. Some amazing old bits of woodland some cut in half by the canal, when the canal was built it must have seemed such a scar on the landscape but now the woods and canal feel like rare bits of nature among the fields of wheat hay and barley. Foxton flight, 2 sets of 4 staircase locks was quiet and arriving just after 2pm meant I got down today.
Took advantage of the afternoon and diverted to market harbour, dead end canal of 5.5 miles. It’s very overgrown and shallow but beautiful with trees on either side and wide reed beds. I dropped my phone in the canal so forced to have dinner in a restaurant with internet, fingers crossed my new one plus a SIM is in the shop tmrw.
Thursday 10 July – Collected my phone, made use of free internet to get it set up and on my way by 11am. Journey back went more quickly as I removed the mass of weed from the prop before setting off until I reached the 1st swing bridge which I was totally unable to open. I had been very lucky and a passer-by did it for me on my way out but now I have to wait ages for another boat to get assistance. It’s so stiff it needs at least 2 people to get it moving. Spend the night at Debdale with Jason and Samci, Lenny is very excited for the new company. We drive into Market Harbour for ice cream its so quick in the car!
Friday 11 July – Into Market Harbour by car for coffee and then an afternoon in the boat hiding from heat, it was 36 inside by 5pm. I am really missing the option of swimming that being on the Thames offers, no way i am getting in the canal!
Saturday 12 July – early start as its going to be hot and there are lots of locks to be done. have a stop in the afternoon its 30 at 3pm and then continue in the evening to Kilbury. A family of swans are happy to make use of the lock as i pass down until i spot a notice tell me to stop them, a slice of bread distracts while i quickly close the gate. At Kilbury i use the CRT pumpout, i would prefer a cassette toilet.
Sunday 13 July – Paired up with another boat, which was great as these locks are really tricky, the gates swing open on their own unless they are help by water pressure! Moored in Barrow Mill and went to the Navigation Pub for dinner, nice food and friendly locals. it was cooler today and even teased with brief rain and grey skies.